Turkish police evict ousted CHP leaders from party HQ

Turkish riot police entered the headquarters of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party in Ankara, using tear gas and rubber bullets to remove the ousted leadership. The action followed a Thursday court ruling that nullified the 2023 election of party chairperson Ozgur Ozel and suspended Ozel and members of the executive board. The court temporarily reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Ozel’s supporters rejected the ruling as a “judicial coup” and vowed to remain at the headquarters. Supporters attempted to force entry before police took control and evicted those inside. The CHP appealed the ruling, though legal experts expected delays. Ozel called for a new party congress, while Kilicdaroglu said it would occur at an appropriate time.

"Turkish riot police on Sunday forced their way into the headquarters of Turkey's main opposition party, using tear gas and rubber bullets to evict its ousted leadership in Ankara. The move followed a court ruling on Thursday that nullified the 2023 election of Ozgur Ozel as chairperson of the Republican People's Party, known as the CHP. The court suspended Ozel and members of the party's executive board and temporarily reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu."

"Ozel's ousted CHP leadership rejected the ruling as a "judicial coup" and vowed to remain day and night at the party's Ankara headquarters. Ozel's supporters and officials had been holed up inside for three days. Kilicdaroglu's backers tried to take over the building On Sunday, Kilicdaroglu's supporters tried to force entry into the building before police stepped in and took control of the building."

""The Republican People's Party will from now be on the streets or in the squares," Ozel said as he was forced out of the building. The CHP has lodged an appeal against Thursday's ruling with Turkey's Supreme Court, but legal experts say a ruling could take over a year. Party members had blocked the building's entrances in defiance of a court order issued Thursday."

"Ozel secured a decisive victory over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP in the 2024 municipal polls in his first race as leader. Ozel called on Saturday for a new party congress to be held as soon as possible, while Kilicdaroglu has said a congress would be held at an "appropriate" time. The next national election is set for 2028, but Erdogan can call an early vote."

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